Coronavirus FAQ: What city rules are in effect after county board rescinded health orders?
After a marathon meeting on May 8, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to direct the county's public health officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser, to rescind several local health orders stricter than Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home order.
As a result, the county's previous mandate of face coverings has been replaced with a "strong recommendation" to social distance and wear face coverings to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The board vote also directed Kaiser to rescind local orders limiting vacation rentals and golf. County spokeswoman Brooke Federico said golf courses remain open in the county under revised state guidance on outdoor recreation.
Although the county rules have changed and state orders remain in effect, some Coachella Valley cities have other measures in place that are stricter than the county rules.
Cathedral City
City officials from Cathedral City on May 13 ordered residents to cover their faces in certain pubic settings.
City spokesman Chris Parman said Cathedral City's rules for face coverings, social distancing and golf courses mirror state and county orders.
"We have no local restrictions beyond these two agencies," he said via email.
Last month, the city issued an order that prohibited the rental or lease of short-term lodging facilities through June 19.
There are, however, some exceptions. Short-term lodging may be used for essential workers, residents who need to isolate or quarantine, and in a few other scenarios, according to the order.
Coachella
The city of Coachella enacted an emergency ordinance requiring the use of face coverings in public settings beginning May 13.
All businesses are required to have workers and customers wear face coverings and display signs informing customers of the policy. Businesses must prevent people without face coverings from entering the store and refuse service to any customer not covering their face.
“Unfortunately, Coachella and the rest of the eastern valley remains a hotspot for coronavirus cases,” said Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez in a statement. “Until we can get this virus under control, our city will continue to require these reasonable measures to protect the health and safety of people living and working in Coachella.”
This ordinance will remain in effect indefinitely until modified or suspended by the City Council, Director of Emergency Services or any county, state or federal declaration.
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Desert Hot Springs
On May 12, the Desert Hot Springs City Council unanimously approved in closed session a resolution requiring residents to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
Businesses that are open and will open in the next few weeks are subject to the face-covering and social-distancing mandate, Mayor Scott Matas said.
Earlier this month, the county said face coverings were not required to be worn at home, or inside the car with members of the same household. It also had a similar approach for residents spending time outdoors.
Indian Wells
The city of Indian Wells has been following state and county orders and until this week had not instituted anything on top of those guidelines. The City Council on Thursday approved an order that grocery and drug stores require customers to wear masks and practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet. The order also "strongly recommends" that all other businesses require masks, and that policies be posted.
"We are going to be asking that residents and visitors respect the requests of our businesses if they ask you to wear your face mask while visiting them," said Christopher Freeland, Indian Wells city manager.
"And when you come to City Hall, for the time being, we’re going to ask you to social distance there, as well as wear a mask," he added. "That’s partly to protect our visitors but also to protect our employees, because as you know, we’re a very small organization of about 30 employees."
Freeland said that after the supervisors voted to rescind county orders, the city would be reevaluating social distancing protocols at its municipal golf course, the Indian Wells Golf Resort, and see what best practices the general manager wanted to implement.
Golf courses in the city reopened a little over a week ago, as county officials amended the order to allow golf courses to reopen with restrictions.
The city had a short-term rental ban prior to the pandemic, which remains in place. The city allows exceptions for special events like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and BNP Paribas Open.
Indio
Indio issued an emergency order requiring face coverings in public places effective Friday.
This includes shopping at stores, picking up food or retail goods inside those businesses, and while using public transportation. Face coverings are required while waiting in line to enter grocery stores, or in other outdoor situations if social distancing can't be maintained.
Businesses are also encouraged to follow state guidelines for face coverings for employees.
Children under the age of two, or those with respiratory problems or other health conditions are exempt from this order. Children two to eight years must wear face coverings with adult supervision.
Golf courses in the city are allowed to be open.
With short-term rentals, City Manager Mark Scott said the city requires proof that their use is connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. City leaders also in agree with the state's ongoing temporary ban on all other uses of these properties, with some exceptions allowing rentals for essential workers and those displaced by the pandemic.
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La Quinta
On May 11, officials held an emergency meeting and issued an executive order requiring the use of face masks and physical distancing in grocery and drug stores. The order also strongly recommends the continued use of face masks and physical distancing in all other stores and businesses in the city, and those policies must be posted.
On May 20, an executive order was amended and the city is now following the mandates of the state regarding short-term vacation rentals, which means properties are still only able to be rented to essential COVID-19 workers in the area to assist during the pandemic.
The city is still requiring a minimum of 24 hours between the departure of one renter and the arrival of the next.
Palm Desert
On May 14, Palm Desert leaders voted 3-2 to require masks in grocery and drug stores and strongly recommend them in all other stores and businesses along with physical distancing. Businesses need to prominently post notices of their policy regarding face coverings.
Golf courses are open, and the city is still evaluating if the board's decision will have any impact.
"Although vacation rentals are regulated in Palm Desert, there are no city-imposed public health-related restrictions and we are still evaluating the impact of the county’s actions on the use of vacation rentals in Palm Desert," the city said previously.
Palm Springs
Officials said May 9 that residents and businesses are governed by the state's order as well as several city emergency orders.
Some of the rules include:
- Stay at home unless engaging in essential activities
- Wear face coverings in public settings unless social distancing can be maintained
- Golf is reopened for public and private use, golfers are required to follow National Golf Course Owners Association “Park and Play” Guidelines
- Recreational courts are reopened; private courts are governed by HOA’s, City owned courts only allow singles play. Palm Springs residents can call Parks & Recreation to reserve public courts at (760) 323-8272
- Private pools within HOAs and apartments won't be closed as long as social distancing and sanitation practices are maintained
Last month, Palm Springs adopted an order regarding employee and customer protections at grocery and retail drug stores. Some of the requirements included limiting occupancy to 40% and not serving customers who aren't wearing face coverings.
The city said on Saturday all essential stores that provide in-person shopping will still be required to follow those safety measures.
Rancho Mirage
Anyone entering a business in Rancho Mirage must wear a facial covering, based on an executive order issued by the city manager on May 12 and ratified by the City Council on May 21.
The city has a temporary moratorium on short-term rentals through June 1.
Violators of the moratorium are subject to citations and fines that start at $5,000, according to the city.
"Additional citations can result based on additional violations, including a full revocation of short-term rental certificate," the city said.
Desert Sun reporter Sherry Barkas contributed to this report.
Risa Johnson covers Native American affairs in the Coachella Valley and beyond. She can be reached at risa.johnson@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4737. Follow her on Twitter @risamjohnson.
Shane Newell covers breaking news and the western Coachella Valley cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. He can be reached at shane.newell@desertsun.com, (760) 778-4649 or on Twitter at @journoshane.